✰ ✰

"𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬"

As I continued to swing my feet below me, I sighed deeply.

Cars went by, and my gaze was drawn to them. I began pointing out the unusual-looking ones to Roman, commenting that they could only have been found in New York.

My head was now resting on his chest, and his arm was wrapped around my waist.

Through my lashes, I caught a glimpse of his eyes, which were blank and unreadable, just like the rest of his features.

He must have noticed my stare because his eyes shifted down to me, and I felt my breathing come to a halt.

The lights from the buildings reflected off of him, illuminating his eyes and all of his features.

I don't think I'd ever been able to get over his inherent beauty.

The sharp edges of his features were veiled by flashing red, orange, and blue lights whilst I viewed the side of his face.

"You're really pretty," I blurted out, and as soon as the words left my lips, my hand shot to my mouth.

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I turned away from him to look down.

His deep laugh echoed through my ears, leading me to return my gaze to him. As he seemed to be observing my swinging feet, he leant back, on one hand, his bottom lip drawn into his mouth.

"You amuse me, Ella," He said so smoothly that it flew right through his lips with ease.

I continued to look away from him, unsure if I was ready to confront my humiliation.

We went silent once again, my heart throbbing loudly in time with the movement of my feet.

"Did you have fun?" I asked him quietly, and he stared at me blankly, "Tonight," I added on.

He looked me in the eyes and nodded, "I did," he said as he licked his lips and looked at mine, "Did you?"

"I did," I replied softly as I slid closer to him, my leg brushing against his.

With a small tug on the corners of his red lips, he withdrew his gaze.

I decided that we should head back. As we strolled back onto the streets, the tranquillity and peaceful silence had vanished.

After a few blocks of walking, we'd made it back to the car. Roman moved to my side and held the door open for me.

I smiled gratefully and slid in, not missing how his eyes followed my every move.

After closing the door, he made his way to his side of the car and stepped inside. He started it and sped out of the parking area.

My eyes scanned the digital clock on the dashboard, which showed it was just eleven o'clock on the dot, and I noted just how much time had passed.

Looking across at Roman, I watched how he had his arm elevated in the middle and his other hand resting lazily on the steering wheel.

My gaze had then been pulled to a snake or serpent tattoo on his wrist; I wasn't sure which, but it wrapped around his wrist and ended at the top of his hand.

My hand had gone directly to the tattoo without hesitating, my eyes wandering over the engraved ink while my fingertips delicately skimmed it.

"What does it mean?" I asked, my gaze concentrated on the tattoo.

We'd come to a halt at a red light, and his other hand reached for my finger. He pointed to the tail and traced my finger along the tattoo all the way to the head.

"Leader," He replied huskily, pointing to the snake's crossed intersection.

"So, it means you're the leader?" I confirmed, my gaze fixed on the sides of his face. "I thought you weren't taking over yet?"

The lights turned green again, he shifted his hand away from my grasp and towards the steering wheel. While he sped down the road, he left his other hand in my lap.

"I am now," He murmured, cocking his head to the side as he effortlessly swerved through traffic.

"This week," He elaborated and I quickly summed everything up.

That was why he wasn't around. Though I assumed he was just doing jobs.

"They're hosting a gathering at my father's next week, to celebrate,"

I didn't say anything; I managed a nod, but my attention remained focused on him as I tried to figure him out.

"Are you... happy?" I asked him cautiously.

A smirk broke onto his red lips and he licked them, "Very, Ella,"

I smiled, happy that he was happy.

"Is everything now in your name and everything?" I asked and began tracing the tattoo again.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him nod. I noticed that his hand had relaxed under my touch, so I continued to trace his tattoos.

"Congratulations," I said, a slight smile on my face.

I raised my eyes at him and he had a small smirk on his lips and glanced at me, "Thanks, Ella,"

I giggled as I continued to watch him swerve through the lanes with grace. He appeared so relaxed when he drove, his hand massaging his jaw while he did.

Our drive out of the city and back to our small town was relatively quick, and once we arrived, I gave Roman directions to Kara's home.

When Roman made it in front of the house, I texted Kara to let her know that I was here.

Before I could get out, Roman had beaten me to my door, swiftly opening it and stood aside.

I slid out of the seat and fixed my top while he shut the door closed.

He walked me to the front door, and I stood in front of him, my back against the door.

My gaze was drawn to him, and his eyes were pulled to mine, looking deeply into them. I shifted on my feet in response to his heated stare, and I reluctantly diverted my eyes.

"Thank you, Roman," I began, "for tonight." I returned his stare and gave him a tiny smile.

He nodded once while keeping his eyes on me, "Welcome,"

I smiled, even more, when he replied, and I boldly moved my arms towards him, motioning for a hug. He amusedly chuckled, yet stepped forward and wrapped his large arms around my waist.

In his embrace, I sighed involuntarily, the same warm and safe feeling flooding through me. He also smelled so good too, like a combination of mint and aheavy, musky cologne.

Because he was leant down slightly, I could reach his hair with my hands. I brushed my fingers through his curls before loosely curling my hands around his neck.

When the door behind me opened, our hug was cut short. Since my body was still against the door, it nearly flew backwards, nearly putting me in a back brace for several years.

However, Roman's grip on me tightened as he straightened up and drew me against him to keep me from falling.

"Oh shit Bella, sorry!" Kara's voice exclaimed.

"It's all right," I replied softly as I turned around. He relaxed his grip on me and gently brought me back to my feet.

"I'll see you later," He said, brushing his hand over my waist.

I gave him a nod and leant in to kiss his cheek, but before I could catch his reaction, I quickly whirled around and dashed inside.

I heard his faded dark laugh when the door closed behind Kara.

Kara gave me a strange grin as she turned to face me.

"What's with that face?" I mumbled to her. As she ran over to me, she squealed giddily and threw her hands in the air.

"That was so fucking cute, I might throw up," She exclaimed loudly.

I blushed and shook my head, allowing my reddened cheeks to be hidden by my hair falling in front of them.

Kara wrapped her arm around my shoulder and led the way to her room.

"You have to tell me everything,"

I smiled and began telling her about one of the most memorable first dates I'd ever had.

✰

"Watch where you're going!" Kara shouted at the car in front of us.

I grimaced when the middle-aged lady threw the finger up at us from out of her window.

"Fucking old people," Kara grumbled and shook her head.

I giggled at her insane car rage.

Kara and I were on our way towards breakfast, we decided to go to a local diner that wasn't too far from her place.

It was midday so I doubted breakfast would still be available at this hour, but lunch would work.

Kara parked on the curb outside the diner, which appeared to be busy from what I could see.

We stepped out of the car and walked straight into the diner, where we sat in a booth in the back.

I took a quick look outside; we were close to an empty sidewalk that also rounded a corner.

"What can I get you girls today?"

My eyes snapped back to the front, a boy stood in front of our table with a notepad in his hand looking at the two of us blankly.

Kara started ordering first, and my eyes stayed on the boy. He looked familiar, I just couldn't pinpoint who he was.

Kara had finished ordering which now left me, and I had no idea what to get.

I glanced at Kara, "What did you get?"

"Chicken Caesar salad," She shrugged.

I nodded and told the boy I'd get the same and ordered an orange juice to go with it.

"Hey, your Arabella, right? From art?" He said, his face lighting up with recognition.

And in a flash, I remembered exactly who he was. I laughed and nodded.

"Damian? I was trying to figure out where I recognised you from," I smiled and he laughed nodding towards us both.

"Well, I'll be back with your food soon," He said with a nod and a smile.

We both nodded, and he gave me another glance before turning around and walking away.

"Damian, huh?" Kara said, wiggling her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes at her, "He's just a guy I met during class,"

She nodded and I quickly changed the subject onto her.

"How are things going with Theo?"

She immediately looked up at me with a gleam in her eyes, surprising me.

"Well, good I guess. He's a sweetheart, but oh lord, that man is a fucking beast in the bed," She exclaimed, loudly.

I choked on my own saliva. I stared at her wide-eyed while coughing, and she just smiled innocently at me while sipping her water.

"Kara! There's literally an old couple behind us," I scolded quietly.

"Eh, they're old, they won't hear,"

I snicker at her 'I don't give a fuck' attitude.

A waiter had come and placed down my orange juice, I thanked him and took the drink in my hands.

"Do you think you'll ever be more?"

While she throws me a half-shrug, I sip the juice through the straw.

"Possibly. Right now we're just hanging out and then fucking, and then hanging out again,"

I snorted, "Bunch of damn animals," I mumbled and she gasped, slapping my arm harshly.

I laugh silently while sipping my juice.

The food arrived a few minutes later, and we dived in, both of us remaining silent while we ate.

We finished eating not long after that, and we talked for a while before deciding to leave.

While Kara had gone to the bathroom, I mindlessly stared out of the window. My thoughts were a blur until I spotted a figure that looked oddly familiar.

A tall guy in all black, wearing a hoodie with his hood over his head, emerged from across the road.

His hands were in his pockets, and his head was bowed, shielding his face from view.

But when he turned into the alleyway, I caught a good look at the side of his face, which confirmed my suspicions.

It was Roman.

When Kara's voice called to me, I turned away.

I got out of my seat, grabbed my phone, and walked over to her. My mind was flooded with questions and curiosity.

I quickly paid for my meal after Kara, and we both were back outside.

Kara got into the car, and as I was doing the same, I glanced back over to the alleyway and came to a halt.

My curiosity had gotten the better of me.

I told Kara to wait in the car for me and without looking back, I started to walk towards the alleyway.

When I got to the other side of the road, I jogged behind the building and peered behind the brick wall to see what was going on.

My eyes widened a fraction when I saw a very bloodied and bruised man lying on the dirty cement.

"Please don't do this," The man begged, "I promise I'll get your money,"

I searched to see who he was talking to, and it was only then that I noticed the large male in front of him.

Roman had one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cigarette between his two fingers.

He had a dangerously dark look on his face that actually seemed to frighten me a bit, while he looked down at the man.

"You know the rules, Allegro," Roman replied flatly as he drew the cigarette to his lips and took a drag.

His shoulders slumped, and he relaxed.

Roman appeared to have had enough of the man begging, his jaw ticking in rage and his face hardening.

One of the two men standing behind Roman handed him a gun, which he accepted and silenced after turning off the trigger.

"Don't," He said again.

Roman just rolled his eyes in irritation as the man wailed.

The man began to beg once again, but Roman stopped him by firing the trigger. No sound came out as his body laid flatly on the ground, blood seeping through his white shirt.

With his cigarette between his lips, Roman leant against the wall and looked at one of the men, nodding towards the body.

"Get rid of it."

They both nod as the body is dragged out of the alleyway. I decided it was time for me to leave, so I took a stealthy step to the side, but Roman's voice spoke again and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Ella."

I bit my lip and shut my eyes closed.

Whoops.